[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 223 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63378-63379]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30261]


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UTAH RECLAMATION MITIGATION AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION


Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact for the Strawberry 
Aqueduct and Collection System Angler-Access Acquisition and Corridor 
Management

AGENCY: The Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission.

ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

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SUMMARY: On November 17, 1999, Michael C. Weland, Executive Director of 
the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (Mitigation 
Commission), signed the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), which 
documents the decision to fund and complete the Angler-Access 
Acquisition and Corridor Management project. The project is located in 
Duchesne County and Wasatch County, Utah. The Mitigation Commission and 
Bureau of Reclamation, joint-lead agencies for the project, documented 
the environmental effects of funding and completing this project in a 
1999 environmental assessment (EA). The Draft EA was issued on July 31, 
1998, analyzing the environmental impacts of completing the remaining 
angler-access and terrestrial wildlife mitigation acquisitions and 
establishing long-term management guidelines for mitigation lands. The 
Final EA was refined based upon public comment and released in November 
1999. The Mitigation Commission has reviewed the Final EA, determined 
it adequate for the decisions to be made, and issued a FONSI, in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.).
    Acquisition and management of angler access corridors are required 
by the 1988 Supplement to the Definite Plan Report (DPR) for the 
Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project (CUP), and/or authorized by the 
Central Utah Project Completion Act of 1992 (Titles II through VI of 
Pub. L. 102-575). The Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System (SACS), 
a component of the Bonneville Unit, Central Utah Project, consists of a 
series of pipelines, tunnels, aqueducts and reservoirs that capture 
water from the Colorado River Basin and divert it to the Bonneville 
Basin for use along the populated Wasatch Front in Utah. Construction 
and operation of the Strawberry Aqueduct and Collection System altered 
stream flows on approximately 240 miles of ten streams. Following years 
of discussion, a mitigation program was developed for SACS in 1988. To 
mitigate the impacts, several key agreements were made (including the 
Aquatic, Wildlife and Wetland Mitigation Plans), and legislation was 
enacted identifying a mitigation program. A portion of the entire 
mitigation program for SACS is fulfilled by the Angler-Access 
Acquisition and Corridor Management project. Specifically, public 
angler access would be acquired to replace lost angling opportunities. 
Fifty-one miles of angler access on specific stream reaches was 
identified for acquisition. Angler access would be acquired where 
instream flows were provided and in some instances, where stream 
habitat improvements were made (both mitigation measures of the SACS 
project). Wetland and riparian woodland mitigation was required on 
SACS-area streams for impacts caused by construction and operation of 
the Municipal and Industrial (M&I) System of the Bonneville Unit. 
Terrestrial habitats impacted by Bonneville Unit features are required 
to be mitigated for by acquiring and managing uplands (some of which 
are adjacent to the angler access corridors) for wildlife purposes.
    Approximately 42.9 of the 51 miles identified on specific stream 
reaches for angler-access acquisition have been acquired by the Bureau 
of Reclamation and the Mitigation Commission. Approximately 8.1 miles 
remain to be acquired. Approximately 26,728 acres of riparian and 
upland habitat have been acquired as terrestrial wildlife mitigation in 
or adjacent to the angler-access corridors. Approximately 490 acres 
remain to be acquired and managed to fulfill the terrestrial wildlife 
mitigation requirement. Approximately 126.5 acres of wetlands have been 
acquired in the angler-access corridors, completing the wetland 
acquisition mitigation responsibilities associated with SACS.
    After reviewing the EA, Biological Assessment, and public and 
agency comments, the Mitigation Commission has decided to implement the 
Modified Proposed Action as described in the Final EA. Under the 
Modified Proposed Action, the Bureau of Reclamation and Mitigation 
Commission will acquire an additional 8.1 river miles of angler access 
on specified river reaches and a minimum of 490 acres of specified 
adjacent uplands and will establish a management framework for the 
angler-

[[Page 63379]]

access corridors. The Mitigation Commission selected the Modified 
Proposed Action for implementation because it minimizes the impacts on 
private property owners while achieving the underlying need for the 
project. The Bureau of Reclamation will use its eminent domain 
authority to complete the acquisitions only as a last resort, following 
other reasonable attempts to acquire lands and interests on a willing-
seller basis. The environmental effects of the Modified Proposed Action 
were similar to the impacts of other alternatives analyzed. 
Implementation of the Modified Proposed Action will achieve the 
following objectives:
    1. Complete outstanding mitigation responsibilities of the Aquatic 
Mitigation Plan by acquiring an additional 8.1 miles of angler-access.
    2. Complete the Wildlife Mitigation Plan by acquiring 490 acres of 
upland habitat remaining as terrestrial wildlife mitigation.
    3. Satisfy the Aquatic Mitigation Plan, Wildlife Mitigation Plan 
and Wetland Mitigation Plan by protecting and managing mitigation lands 
for their riparian, wetland, and aquatic resource values. Establish 
management guidelines and objectives for each of the angler-access 
corridors.
    4. Provide continuous public access throughout angler-access 
corridors and identify the appropriate level of infrastructure 
development (parking areas and restrooms) for public use.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information about this 
Federal Register notice can be obtained at the address and telephone 
number below:

Mr. Richard Mingo, Natural Resource Specialist, Utah Reclamation 
Mitigation and Conservation Commission, 102 West 500 South, Suite 315, 
Salt Lake City, UT 84101, Telephone: (801) 524-3146.

    Dated: November 15, 1999.
Michael C. Weland,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 99-30261 Filed 11-18-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P